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QUALITY OF LIFE

Health Care

Award-winning Jackson Purchase Medical Center (JPMC) in Mayfield is located at Exit 24 off the Purchase Parkway, only a short drive from the West Kentucky Megasite. JPMC offers the region's only Accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center. Additionally, JPMC offers a variety of specialized services, including endoscopic ultrasound, mammography, birthing center, pediatric services, critical care, rehabilitation, diabetes center, and a variety of other clinical and non-clinical services. Modern Healthcare named JPMC one of "The Best Places to Work" two years in a row, most recently in 2010. JPMC been recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the Nations Top 100 Hospitals. These recognitions, the commitment of the medical staff, and the use of the latest technology make JPMC an excellent choice for health care.
Paducah is a regional hub for healthcare, offering two state-of-the-art hospitals and a variety of specialized care, diagnostic, and rehabilitation centers. Western Baptist Hospital and Lourdes Hospital are both located in Paducah, and offer a full range of health care services including cardiac and cancer care, diagnostic imaging, women's and children's services, surgery, emergency treatment, rehabilitation and more. Paducah's hospitals serve patients from four states and together have over 3,000 employees. Both Western Baptist and Lourdes are highly accredited and award-winning facilities.
In addition to being recognized as one of the nation's top 100 cardiovascular hospitals, Western Baptist is ranked nationally in the top 3% in breast imaging, the top 4% in coronary artery care, the top 5% in chest pain treatment, and the top 15% in cancer care. Western Baptist Hospital is the region's only nationally recognized chest pain & stroke centers, da Vinci robotic surgery and neonatal intensive care unit. Lourdes Hospital is sponsored by Health Partners (CHP), and has been named among the top 10 health systems in the United States.

Recreation | Tourism |The Arts

Western Kentucky offers the beauty of Kentucky's largest lakes, world-class hunting opportunities, diverse cultural heritage and arts, one-of-a-kind festivals, and famous Southern hospitality. The counties that comprise the West Kentucky Megasite partnership offer unique features of their own:

Ballard County features some of the nation's best waterfowl hunting, and is home to the Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve, a 458-acre nature preserve. The preserve is part of the 3,000-acre Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex which supports at least eight rare plant and animal species. The site has been recognized as a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
Carlisle County offers a rich agricultural history. The county features an abundance of fresh water in the many creeks and streams draining into the Mississippi River. Much of the area is fertile farmland, growing abundance of many crops, including tobacco.
Calloway County is home to Murray State University. For the 19th consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has recognized MSU among America's top public universities. The university offers a quality education to more than 10,000 students from all over the world. Accredited by 16 professional accreditation councils that measure the prestige of its undergraduate and graduate programs, Murray State also has been nationally recognized for its residential college system, focusing not only on providing students with a quality education, but also on placing them in an environment where lifelong friendships can be established.
Fulton County features the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport, which serves as the only public port in Kentucky that lies on the east side of the Mississippi River. This port is located on the lower Mississippi at mile 922 in the Elvis J. Stahr Harbor, with no locks south of St. Louis, Missouri, creating a distinct advantage with regard to waterborne shipping costs. It is also located in the geographic center of a major grain producing area.
Graves County – Mayfield is the site of the famous Woolridge Monuments, an 18-figure group of sandstone and Italian marble monuments, "The Strange Procession That Never Moves." Henry G. Wooldridge, a horse trader who moved to Mayfield around 1840 chose to commemorate his family, pets and himself with life-sized statues grouped around his tomb. His tomb and a memorial shaft of the Wooldridge family complete the unusual grouping of monuments on the cemetery lot.
Hickman County is home to the city of Columbus and Columbus-Belmont State Park. This Civil War area offers a breathtaking view of the mighty Mississippi RIver from its towering bluffs, and visitors are taken back in time with many points of interest and a museum featuring Civil War era artifacts.
Marshall County – Kentucky Lake borders Marshall County to the east. With a length of 184 miles, and a width of 1.5 to two miles, Kentucky Lake has over 2,000 miles of shoreline and 160,300 acres of water
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) is a must-see when you visit Kentucky Lake. Campgrounds abound, both established and primitive in the secluded backcountry. Boat ramps on bays from both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley provide excellent fishing and other water recreational opportunities. Fun and interesting things to see and do are located throughout LBL, including the Great Western Iron Furnace, The Homeplace 1850s,the Elk and Bison Prairie, Nature Station, Planetarium. horseback riding, cemeteries, and much, much more. A specialty in LBL is the wildlife. Whitetail deer, elk, buffalo, bobcats, and other animals can be found in the wild or seen at the nature centers. Scenic drives can also be found off The Trace Parkway, the 45-mile, north-south highway that winds its way through LBL.
McCracken County – Located in McCracken County, Paducah is the area's hub for arts, entertainment, eclectic accommodations, and fine dining. Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum, a thriving downtown arts district, the Carson Center (Performing Arts Center), and the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. Paducah was selected as the Fan Favorite of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
Metropolis, IL – Located in Superman's hometown of Metroplis, Illinois, the Super Museum features thousands of items pertaining to the Man of Steel. Just across the street from the museum, visitors will find the famous Superman statue. Metroplis is also home to the Superman Celebration, held annually in June.
For comprehensive Kentucky tourism information, visit http://www.kentuckytourism.com.